Yellow-brested Flycatcher

Yellow-brested Flycatcher (Tolmomyias flaviventris)

Yellow-brested Flycatcher

Order : Passeriformes
Also known as Passerines or perching birds. Any member of the largest avian order which includes more than 5,700 species, more than half of all living birds. Passerines are true perching birds with four toed feet, three toes facing forward and one larger toe facing backwards.

Family : Tyrant Flycatchers (Tyrannidae)
Any of about 429 species of Passerines which occur throughout North and South America but are mainly tropical in distribution. Most are insectivorous, often taking their prey in flight, but certain species feed mainly on berries or fruit. Most are fairly plain and none have the complex vocal capabilities of the song birds.


Name : Yellow-brested Flycatcher (Tolmomyias flaviventris)
Length : 12 - 13 cm ( 4½ - 5 in )

This is a rare flycatcher that breeds in Tobago. It’s a bird of Mangrove woodland where it builds an intricately woven hanging nest attached to a thin branch or vine. The nest is globular with a narrow slightly downward facing entrance made entirely of dried grass or similar materials, usually around 2.4 m to 7.2 m ( 8 - 24 ft) above the ground. An insectivorous bird, the Yellow-brested flycatcher has, as it’s name suggests, yellow - orange underparts, green - brown upperparts with streaks of black and white on the wings. The tail is brown below, and black above. It has a surprisingly loud ‘chee’ or ‘tee-dee’ call for it’s size.



#Yellow-brested Flycatcher #Tolmomyias flaviventris #Tyrant Flycatchers #Tyrannidae #flycatcher #Passeriformes #tropical birds #birds of Tobago #birds

Bird identification images

White-lined Tanager

White-lined Tanager (Tachyphonus rufus)

White-lined Tanager

Order : Passeriformes
Also known as Passerines or perching birds. Any member of the largest avian order which includes more than 5,700 species, more than half of all living birds. Passerines are true perching birds with four toed feet, three toes facing forward and one larger toe facing backwards.

Family : Tanagers (Thraupidae)
The Tanagers are a large group of over 200 species of songbirds of new world forests and gardens mainly in the tropics. Many are brightly coloured. They range in size from 10 - 20 cm ( 4 - 8 in ), and most are arboreal, living in trees, undergrowth and shrub. The diet consists mainly of fruit, though some species eat insects.

Name : White-lined Tanager (Tachyphonus rufus)
Length : 18 cm ( 7½ in )
Local Names : Parson

The white-lined Tanager inhabits suburban areas and light woodland and forest edges where it feeds on fruit, nectar and insects. The male is a glossy black all over with a small patch of white on the underwing covets which are best observed when the bird is in flight, and has a partially white lower mandible. The female is entirely rufus brown. The pair are usually seen together. The nest is a large cup of leaves, usually situated in thick vegetation.


#White-lined Tanager Tachyphonus rufus Tanagers Thraupidae Passeriformes birds of the West Indies birds of Trinidad & Tobago birds of Tobago birds


Bird identification images

White-lined Tanager (Tachyphonus rufus) female

Tropical Mockingbird

Tropical Mockingbird (Mimus gilvus)

Tropical Mockingbird

Order : Passeriformes
Also known as Passerines or perching birds. Any member of the largest avian order which includes more than 5,700 species, more than half of all living birds. Passerines are true perching birds with four toed feet, three toes facing forward and one larger toe facing backwards.

Family : Mockingbirds (Mimidae)
The mimidae family consists of about 34 species in 10 genera including Thrashers, Tremblers and Mockingbirds. The Mockingbird accounting for about 17 species in 4 genera. These birds are noted for their remarkable ability to mimic a wide variety of other birds and other outdoor sounds. They are confined to the New World and tend to be dull grey or brown in appearance.

Name : Tropical Mockingbird (Mimus gilvus)
Length : 25 cm ( 10 in )
Local Names : Mockingbird, Day Clean

The Tropical Mockingbird is grey above with dark eye-steaks and whitish below, with a long white-tipped tail. It builds a rough nest of twigs in a bush or tree and is aggressively territorial while rearing it’s chicks, chasing off any bird that enters it’s territory with determination. They feed mainly on insects which they hunt in low bush or from the ground where they will open their wings causing a sudden shadow, grabbing any insects that instinctively move. They will also eat fruits and some berries. The Tropical Mockingbird is widespread in suburban areas, cultivated land, open countryside and forest edges, ranging through the West Indies, Central and South America.


#Tropical Mockingbird #Mimus gilvus #Mockingbirds #Mimidae #Passeriformes #birds of the West Indies #birds of Trinidad & Tobago #Birds of Tobago #birds

Bird identification images

Tropical Kingbird

Tropical Kingbird (Tyrannus melancholicus)

Tropical Kingbird

Order : Passeriformes
Also known as Passerines or perching bird’s. Any member of the largest avian order which includes more than 5,700 species, more than half of all living birds. Passerines are true perching birds with four toed feet, three toes facing forward and one larger toe facing backwards.

Family : Tyrant Flycatchers (Tyrannidae)
Any of about 429 species of Passerines which occur throughout North and South America but are mainly tropical in distribution. Most are insectivorous, often taking their prey in flight, but certain species feed mainly on berries or fruit. Most are fairly plain and none have the complex vocal capabilities of the song birds.

Name : Tropical Kingbird (Tyrannus melancholicus)
Length : 21 - 22 cm ( 8½ - 9 in )

This species ranges from southern North America to South America but is not know to breed throughout the Caribbean except in Trinidad and Tobago and perhaps Grenada. Distinguished by it’s Olive - green back, grey or greenish- yellow breast becoming bright yellow on the belly, dark, forked tail and grey head with dark eye streaks, this nimble flycatcher is a bird of open countryside where it may be seen alone or with a mate. The Tropical Kingbird will often sit on roadside wires waiting for flying insects, which typical of tyrant flycatchers, it will take on the wing. The nest is an open cup built of twigs and lined with grass and placed high up in a tree where 2 - 4 eggs are laid. Both parents feed the young, and aggressively defend the nest, attacking any other birds, including hawks, that invade their territory.


#Tropical Kingbird #Tyrannus melancholicus #Tyrant Flycatchers #Tyrannidae #flycatchers #Passeriformes  #Passerines #birds #birds of Tobago



Bird identification images

Shiny Cowbird

Shiny Cowbird (Molothrus bonariensis)

Shiny Cowbird

Order : Passeriformes
Also known as Passerine’s or perching bird’s. Any member of the largest avian order which includes more than 5,700 species, more than half of all living birds. Passerines are true perching birds with four toed feet, three toes facing forward and one larger toe facing backwards.

Family : Blackbirds and Orioles (Icteridae)
The Icteridae is a family made up of 88 species of diverse songbirds from across the Americas including blackbirds, grackles, orioles, cowbirds, meadowlarks, and oropendolas. The majority of Icterids have black in the plumage with yellow also being a predominant colour in many species. Males are usually decidedly larger than females.

Name : Shiny Cowbird (Molothrus bonariensis)
Length 18 - 20 cm (7 - 8 in)
Local Names : Lazy bird, Blackbird’s cousin.

Originally from South America, this species is considered a rather recent arrival to the West Indies. The male is black with a strong violet gloss, the female a greyish brown with the juvenile being similar to the female. The song is a series of loud, musical whistles and a melodious warble and also soft unmusical call notes.The Shiny Cowbird is omnivorous it’s diet consisting of insects and seeds. It is a bird of open countryside and suburban areas and may roost colonially with Grackles. The Cowbird is parasitic, the female laying her eggs in the nests of other, usually smaller species. The foster parents are left to rear the young Cowbird, quite often at the expense of their own young.



#Shiny Cowbird #Molothrus bonariensis #Blackbirds #Icteridae #Passeriformes #songbirds #birds of the West Indies #parasitic birds #birds #birds of Tobago #birds of Trinidad & Tobago


Bird identification images

Shiny Cowbird (Molothrus bonariensis) female

Shiny Cowbird (Molothrus bonariensis) juvenile

Shiny Cowbird (Molothrus bonariensis) male

Palm Tanager

Palm Tanager (Thraupis palmarum)

Palm Tanager

Order : Passeriformes
Also known as Passerine’s or perching birds. Any member of the largest avian order which includes more than 5,700 species, more than half of all living birds. Passerines are true perching birds with four toed feet, three toes facing forward and one larger toe facing backwards.

Family : Tanagers (Thraupidae)
The Tanagers are a large group of over 200 species of songbirds of new world forests and gardens mainly in the tropics. Many are brightly coloured. They range in size from 10 - 20 cm ( 4 - 8 in ), and most are arboreal, living in trees, undergrowth and shrub. The diet consists mainly of fruit, though some species eat insects.

Name : Palm Tanager (Thraupis palmarum)
Length : 17cm ( 7 in )

Closely related to the Blue-grey Tanager, the Palm Tanager is a dull olive green all over with yellowish wing coverts and dark primaries. It is a bird of cultivated land and suburban areas, though tends to feed at higher levels, often in Palm trees foraging among the palm leaves for insects, or taking berries and fruits from other trees. The nest is usually built in Palm trees, but may also be placed under the eaves of houses.



#Palm Tanager #Thraupis palmarum #Tanagers #Thraupidae #Passeriformes #perching birds #songbirds #arboreal birds #birds #birds of Tobago #birds of Trinidad & Tobago


Bird identification photos

House Wren

House Wren

Order : Passeriformes
Also known as Passerine’s or perching birds. Any member of the largest avian order which includes more than 5,700 species, more than half of all living birds. Passerine’s are true perching birds with four toed feet, three toes facing forward and one larger toe facing backwards.


Family : Wrens (Troglodytidae)
A new world family compromising about 59 species of which only one (Troglodytes troglodytes) has spread to old world regions where it is simply known as the Wren. Wrens are generally small, inconspicuous birds except for their comparatively loud songs. They are insectivorous, with short wings and often upturned tails.


Name : House Wren (Trogloytes aedon)
Length : 12 - 13 cm ( 4½ in )

As it’s name suggests this little Wren is often found around houses and gardens in search of insects and spiders which form it’s main diet. The nest is built in tree holes and crevices or similar man made structures, lined with soft materials where the female lays up to 6 eggs, though the nest may be parasited by the Shiny Cowbird, norally at the expense of the House Wrens own eggs or chicks. The House Wren ranges from Canada to Tierre del Fuego, usually inhabiting suburban areas, woodland and forest edges, especially where thick undergrowth is present.


#House Wren #Trogloytes aedon #Wrens #Troglodytidae #Passeriformes #perching birds #songbirds #birds #birds of Tobago

Bird identification photos

Gray Kingbird

Gray Kingbird (Tyrannus dominicensis)

Gray Kingbird

Order : Passeriformes
Any of about 429 species of Passerines which occur throughout North and South America but are mainly tropical in distribution. Most are insectivorous, often taking their prey in flight, but certain species feed mainly on berries or fruit. Most are fairly plain and none have the complex vocal capabilities of the song birds.

Family : Tyrant Flycatchers (Tyrannidae)
Also known as Passerine’s or pearching bird’s. Any member of the largest avian order which includes more than 5,700 species, more than half of all living birds. Passerine’s are true perching birds with four toed feet, three toes facing forward and one larger toe facing backwards.

Name : Gray Kingbird (Tyrannus dominicensis)
Length : 23 - 24 cm ( 9 - 9½ in )
Local Names : Rain Bird, Chinchary

One of the largest and most common Tyrant flycatchers in the West Indies the Gray Kingbird ranges from Southern North America and the West Indies to Northern South America Wintering in part in Northern South America. The plumage is gray above, with white underparts with a black stripe from the base of the bill to the ear covets. The bill is black with a hooked tip. It is a bird of open countryside and suburban areas where it perches on exposed branches or wires, and can readily be seen taking frequent sallies catching large insects in flight. It’s call is a harsh ‘pitirre’. Breeding occurs during March and July and shortly after many birds migrate to Northern South America.




#Gray Kingbird #Grey Kingbird #Tyrannus dominicensis #flycatcher #Rain Bird #Chinchary #Tyrant Flycatchers #Tyrannidae #Passeriformes #North America #West Indies #South America #migrant birds #birds #birds of Tobago


Bird identification photos

Fork-tailed Flycatcher

Fork-tailed Flycatcher (Tyrannus savana)

Fork-tailed Flycatcher

Order : Passeriformes
Also known as Passerine’s or perching bird’s. Any member of the largest avian order which includes more than 5,700 species, more than half of all living birds. Passerine’s are true perching birds with four toed feet, three toes facing forward and one larger toe facing backwards.

Family : Tyrant Flycatchers (Tyrannidae)
Any of about 429 species of Passerines which occur throughout North and South America but are mainly tropical in distribution. Most are insectivorous, often taking their prey in flight, but certain species feed mainly on berries or fruit. Most are fairly plain and none have the complex vocal capabilities of the song birds.

Name : Fork-tailed Flycatcher (Tyrannus savana)

Length : 19 - 40 cm ( 9 - 16 in )
Local Names : Scissor tail


One of two similar species, the other being the Scissor-tailed Flycatcher (Tyrannus forticatus) of Central Southern North America and Northern Mexico, which may also be present as it Migrates annually to South America between November and February, The Fork-tailed Flycatcher of Argentina and Chile winters in Northern South America during May and October. This, the South American species, is a bird of open countryside where it perches on trees or bushes from where they will fly out to catch their prey in flight. They can be seen at dusk, flying in loose flocks back to the roost, which is normally in mangrove, at quite a height. The distinguishing tail, 28 cm (11 in ) in males, 18 cm (7 in ) in females and immature, malts during June and September, usually growing back before it’s return south. The South American species has grey upperparts, a black head, and white underparts. The North American species has grey upperparts with light underparts and pinkish flanks.


#Fork-tailed Flycatcher #Tyrannus savana #Scissor tail #Tyrant Flycatchers #Tyrannidae #Passeriformes #birds #birds of Tobago



Bird identification pictures

Bare-eyed Thrush

Bare-eyed Thrush 

Bare-eyed Thrush (Turdus nudigenis)

Order : Passeriformes
Thrushes are a cosmopolitan family made up of two major groups, the true thrushes and the chat thrushes, the latter being confined to Eurasia, except for the Northern Wheater, which has colonised northern Canada and Alaska. The largest genus consisting around 66 species, is found in both temperate and tropical climates. Many being known for their singing voice.

Family : Thrushes (Turidae)
Also known as Passerine’s or perching bird’s. Any member of the largest avian order which includes more than 5,700 species, more than half of all living birds. Passerine’s are true perching birds with four toed feet, three toes facing forward and one larger toe facing backwards.

Name : Bare-eyed Thrush (Turdus nudigenis)
Length : 23 - 24 cm ( 9 - 9½ in )
Local Names : Yellow eyed Grive, Gold eye Thrush

A bird of parklands, suburban areas, light woodland and cultivated land, the Bare-eyed Thrush is distinguished by it’s large golden yellow eye ring. It has brown upperparts with grey brown underparts with a streaked throat. Both sexes are similar. The cup shaped nest is made of mud and plant material placed at a moderate height in the fork of a tree usually around March to July.

#bare-eyed thrush #turdus nudigenis #yellow eyed grive #gold eye thrush #thrushes #turidae #passeriformes #birds #perching birds #birds of tobago

Bird identification images

Cocoa Woodcreeper

Cocoa Woodcreeper (Xiphorhynchus susurrans)

Cocoa Woodcreeper

Order : Passeriformes
Also known as Passerine’s or perching bird’s. Any member of the largest avian order which includes more than 5,700 species, more than half of all living birds. Passerine’s are true perching birds with four toed feet, three toes facing forward and one larger toe facing backwards.

Family : Woodcreepers (Dendrocolaptidae)
The Woodcreepers are a family of about 50 species of Passerine birds endemic to the neotropics. These mainly brown birds feed on insects taken from tree trunks. They superficially resemble the old world treecreepers but are not related. Woodcreepers are solitary forest birds that nest in holes or crevices. Most are 28 - 38 cm ( 8 - 15 in ) long, and are usually detected by their voice, some repeat harsh or sad notes and others trill.

Name : Cocoa Woodcreeper (Xiphorhynchus susurrans)
Length : 23 cm ( 9 in )

The Woodcreeper breeds from Honduras through South America to northern Argentina and Trinidad and Tobago. More likely to be recognised by it’s long descending song, the Woodcreeper spends it’s day flying from one tree to the base of another, slowly climbing up the second in search of insects, invertabrates and may even follow army ants feeding on both the ants and any creatures they disturb. It can often be seen probing soft or rotton bark. The nest is built in tree stumps, often palms, is leaf lined, where 2 - 3 white eggs are laid. The Woodcreeper is a forest bird, and rarely ventures beyond the forest edge. It’s brown all over, with a stiff tail used as a prop as the bird climbs the tree. The bill is long and decurved used to probe but not bore holes like woodpeckers.

#Cocoa Woodcreeper #Xiphorhynchus susurrans #Woodcreepers #Dendrocolaptidae #Passeriformes #perching birds #neotropics #treecreepers #tropical #forest birds #bird #birds of Tobago

Bird identification pictures

Brown-crested Flycatcher

Brown-crested Flycatcher (Myiarchus tryannulus)

Brown-crested Flycatcher

Order : Passeriformes
Also known as Passerine’s or perching bird’s. Any member of the largest avian order which includes more than 5,700 species, more than half of all living birds. Passerine’s are true perching birds with four toed feet, three toes facing forward and one larger toe facing backwards.

Family : Tyrant Flycatchers (Tyrannidae)
Any of about 429 species of Passerines which occur throughout North and South America but are mainly tropical in distribution. Most are insectivorous, often taking their prey in flight, but certain species feed mainly on berries or fruit. Most are fairly plain and none have the complex vocal capabilities of the song birds.

Name : Brown-crested Flycatcher (Myiarchus tryannulus)
Length : 18cm ( 7¼ in )

The brown-crested flycatcher is fairly similar to two or three other flycatchers all of whom have some degree of yellow on the underparts, patterned brown upperparts and a brown crest, all of similar size. The brown-created flycatcher breeds around January and February in Tobago, the nest is normally situated in bamboo stumps or a hole in the tree being made of a combination of grass, roots, moss and bark. It is a bird of open countryside and forest edges, often seen on an open perch from where it will launch itself, taking flying insects on the wing. It’s diet may also include berries and seeds.

#Brown-crested Flycatcher #Myiarchus tryannulus #flycatcher #Tyrant Flycatchers #Tyrannidae #Passeriformes #birds #birds of Tobago

Bird identification pictures

Blue - gray Tanager

Blue - gray Tanager (Thraupis episcopus)

Blue - gray Tanager

Order : Passeriformes
Also known as Passerine’s or perching bird’s. Any member of the largest avian order which includes more than 5,700 species, more than half of all living birds. Passerine’s are true perching birds with four toed feet, three toes facing forward and one larger toe facing backwards.

Family : Tanagers (Thraupidae)
The Tanagers are a large group of over 200 species of songbirds of new world forests and gardens mainly in the tropics. Many are brightly coloured. They range in size from 10 - 20 cm ( 4 - 8 in ), and most are arboreal, living in trees, undergrowth and shrub. The diet consists mainly of fruit, though some species eat insects.

Name :Blue - gray Tanager (Thraupis episcopus)
Length : 17cm ( 7 in )
Local Names : Blue jean

The Blue-gray Tanager ranges from Mexico south to northern Brazil and northern Bolivia. There are a number of races namely T. e. herlepschi endemic to Tobago, T. e. neosophila with a violet shoulder patch occurring in Trinidad, Venezuela, eastern Columbia and northern Brazil. T. e. mediana of the southern Amazon basin which has a white wing patch, and T. e. cana of the northern Amazon has a blue shoulder. Overall the Blue-gray Tanager is has a pale blue grey head and underparts, with darker blue upperparts. The bill is short, the lower mandible with white towards the base. Sexes are similar. They inhabit gardens, open countryside light woodland and forest edges, their diet consisting of fruits, insects and some nectar. Breeding is mainly during March and July, the nests are usually high up in a tree, occasionally being parasited by the Shiny Cowbird. They are usually seen in pairs or small groups, and may also be seen with Palm Tanagers.

#Blue - gray Tanager #Thraupis episcopus #Tanagers #Thraupidae #Passeriformes #Blue jean #birds #songbirds #tropical #birds of Tobago

Bird identification pictures

Blue - black Grassquit

Blue - black Grassquit (Volatinia jacarina) male

Blue - black Grassquit

Order : Passeriformes
Finches are seed eating Passerines mainly confined to the Northern Hemisphere, though some extend to South America. They are small to medium sized birds with a strong usually conical beak. Their flight is a bouncing alternate of flaps and glides on closed wings, and most sing well. There is some confusion over exactly which family the West Indian species belong, some Ornithologists placing them in the family Emberizidae.

Family : Finches (Fringillidae)
Also known as Passerine’s or pearching bird’s. Any member of the largest avian order which includes more than 5,700 species, more than half of all living birds. Passerine’s are true perching birds with four toed feet, three toes facing forward and one larger toe facing backwards.

Name :Blue - black Grassquit (Volatinia jacarina)
Length 10 - 12 cm ( 4 - 4½ in )
Local Names : Blue-black seedeater, johnny jump-up

Similar to the Black-faced Grassquit, the Blue-black Grassquit is a bird of open countryside, scrub, grassland and garden. It is almost always seen near the ground where it feeds on grass seeds, or on a perch where it can be observed leaping into the air, spreading it’s wings and tail feathers in time to a musical call, before landing back onto it’s perch. This can be repeated for quite some time. The Male is a glossy blue-black all over, the female closer resembles the female Black-faced Grassquit, being a dull brown upperparts with pale brown underparts often streaked with black.

#Blue - black Grassquit #grassquits #Volatinia jacarina #Finches #Fringillidae #Passeriformes #seedeater #johnny jump-up #bird #birds of Tobago

Bird identification pictures

Black-faced Grassquit

Black-faced Grassquit (Tiaris bicolor) male

Black-faced Grassquit

Order : Passeriformes
Also known as Passerine’s or perching bird’s. Any member of the largest avian order which includes more than 5,700 species, more than half of all living birds. Passerine’s are true perching birds with four toed feet, three toes facing forward and one larger toe facing backwards.

Family : Finches (Fringillidae)
Finches are seed eating Passerines mainly confined to the Northern Hemisphere, though some extend to South America. They are small to medium sized birds with a strong usually conical beak. Their flight is a bouncing alternate of flaps and glides on closed wings, and most sing well. There is some confusion over exactly which family the West Indian species belong, some Ornithologists placing them in the family Emberizidae.

Name :Black-faced Grassquit (Tiaris bicolor)
Length : 11 - 12 cm ( 4½ in )
Local Names : Grass Sparrow, Tobacco Bird

Abundant and widely distributed throughout the West Indies, the Black-faced Grassquit is a species of open countryside, grassland, scrub and garden. It’s diet consisting almost extensively of grass or herb seed taken almost exclusively from the ground. The Male is green above with distinguishing black underparts, the female is greenish brown above and lacks any black underparts. The nest is globular with a side entrance, and is usually placed in a bush or tree.

#Black-faced Grassquit #Tiaris bicolor #Grass Sparrow #Tobacco Bird #Finches #Fringillidae #Passeriformes #Passerine #perching #bird #birds of Tobago

Bird identification pictures

Black-faced Grassquit female

Black-faced Grassquit female

Barred Antshrike

Barred Antshrike (Thamnophilus doliatus)

Barred Antshrike

Order : Passeriformes
Also known as Passerine’s or perching bird’s. Any member of the largest avian order which includes more than 5,700 species, more than half of all living birds. Passerine’s are true perching birds with four toed feet, three toes facing forward and one larger toe facing backwards.

Family : Antbirds (Thamnophilidae)
Antbirds are a large family of subtropical and tropical central and south American Passerines, from the family Formicariidae, making up more than 230 species in 50 genera. All are fairly small birds 9.5 to 37 cm ( 4 to 14 inches), and tend to have drab, fluffy plumage being predominantly brown, black and white, with sexes usually being different. They are insectivorous, and generally share incubation duties.

Name : Barred Antshrike (Thamnophilus doliatus)
Length : 15 cm (6 in)

The Barred Antshrike is usually seen in pairs, the rufus coloured female not far behind the black and white male, calling in a distinctive chuckling ‘Ka - Ka - Ka’ that accelerates towards the end, it’s tail wags rapidly in time with the notes and it’s crest erects. The pair calling frequently to each other as they move around. The nest is hung under a thin branch like a two handled basket where both parents attend to nest duties, incubating and rearing the young. They inhabit light woodlands and bush, and can frequently be seen in suburban gardens and hotel grounds. The Antshrike’s diet consists mainly of insects found as it hunts through low bushes.

#barred antshrike #Thamnophilus doliatus #antbirds #Thamnophilidae #Passeriformes #Passerine #perching #bird #identification #birds #birds of Tobago

Bird identification pictures

Bananaquit

Bananaquit (Coereba flaveola) Honeycreeper

Bananaquit 

Order : Passeriformes
There is a great deal of confusion about just which family or sub family this loosely fitting range of birds belong to. Some authors now place most honeycreepers into either Emberizidae or Tanager families, while others place the Bananquit as the only remaining member of the Coeredidae family. What can be said is that the Honeycreepers are small brightly coloured tropical American birds that feed on fruit, nectar and small insects.


Family : Honeycreepers (Coerebidae)
Also known as Passerine’s or perching bird’s. Any member of the largest avian order which includes more than 5,700 species, more than half of all living birds. Passerine’s are true perching birds with four toed feet, three toes facing forward and one larger toe facing backwards.

Name : Bananaquit (Coereba flaveola)
Length : 10 - 13 cm ( 4 - 5 in )
Local Names : Sugar Bird, Sucrier

Ranging from tropical South America north to southern Mexico and throughout the West Indies the Bananaquit is adapted to taking nectar from flowers with it’s slender decurved bill, however it is known for piercing longer flowers from the side therefore bypassing pollination of the flower. It cannot hover like hummingbirds but perches, either on an adjacent stem or branch, or, due to it’s light weight, directly on the flower, often causing fatal damage to the bloom itself. It also eats fruit and insects and has a particular ‘sweet tooth’ often entering homes and restaurants where it will boldly take sugar or dig holes in bread. They are even know to nest inside of chandeliers or other suitable nesting spots inside of a house. The Bananaquit will build two nests during breeding, the first a spherical nest with side entrance where three eggs are laid. The second nest is not as well constructed and believed to be used for a night roost. The male often leaves the female to care for the brood to find

#bananaquit #coereba flaveola #honeycreepers #coerebidae #Passeriformes #Passerine #perching bird #bird #Birds of Tobago

Identifying Images